Huawei P20 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus: Are three better than two?

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Huawei has taken the wraps off its newest flagship, and the P20 Pro is the phone to snag if you’re looking for a new, powerful Huawei phone. But what’s that coming over the hill? It’s the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, and it’s angry at the P20 Pro for stealing its limelight. A conflict between the two is inevitable, but which will be left standing when these two clash? We took a look to find out.

Specs

Huawei P20 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Size
155 x 73.9 x 7.8 mm (6.1 x 2.9 x 0.3 inches)
158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5 mm (6.22 x 2.91 x 0.33 inches)

Weight
180 grams (6.34 ounces)
189 grams (6.67 ounces)

Screen Size
6.1-inch OLED display
6.2-inch AMOLED display

Screen Resolution
2,240 x 1,080 pixels (408 pixels per inch)
2,960 x 1,440 pixels (529 pixels per inch)

Operating System
Emotion UI 8.1 (over Android 8.1 Oreo)
Samsung Experience 9.0 (over Android 8.0 Oreo)

Storage Space
128GB
64GB

MicroSD Card Slot
Yes, up to 256GB
Yes, up to 256GB

Tap To Pay Services
Google Pay
Samsung Pay, Google Pay

Processor
Kirin 970
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

RAM
6GB
6GB

Camera
Triple lens 40MP, 20MP, & 8MP rear, 24MP front
Dual lens 12MP rear, 8MP front

Video
2,160p at 30 frames per second, 1,080p at 30fps, 720p at 960fps
2,160p at 60 frames per second, 1,080p at 240 fps, 720p at 960 fps

Bluetooth Version
Bluetooth 4.2
Bluetooth 5.0

Ports
USB-C
3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C

Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes

Water resistance
IP67
IP68

Battery
4,000mAh
3,500mAh

App Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store

Network support
T-Mobile, AT&T
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint

Colors
Black, Blue, Twilight, Pink Gold
Midnight Black, Coral Blue, Lilac Purple

Price
$1,000
$840

Buy From
Huawei
Samsung

Review Score
Hands-on review
4.5 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life and charging

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

The Huawei P20 Pro comes equipped with the powerful Kirin 970 we last saw in the Mate 10 Pro. Huawei has tuned it up a little for the P20 Pro, getting more out of the A.I.-centred NPU chip inside, and we expect to see good performance again. It’s beaten in sheer power by the Galaxy S9 Plus‘s Snapdragon 845, which saw exceptional results in our review benchmarks. Will that translate into better real-life performance? Despite the S9 Plus beating both the iPhone X and Pixel 2 in benchmarks, we found both of those phones to be smoother than the S9 Plus in real usage — so better benchmarks don’t necessarily mean better performance.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus ships with the same 3,500mAh battery as the S8 Plus from last year. Heavy usage saw it drop to 25 percent by 6.30 p.m. after coming off the charger at 7.30 a.m. That’s not bad, but it’s far from the best performance around, and you may need to charge during the day if you’re a power user. Wireless charging is available, but the S9 Plus still only comes with QuickCharge 2.0, despite the Snapdragon 845’s QuickCharge 4.0 support.

We haven’t had a chance to properly test the P20 Pro’s battery, but we’re expecting the 4,000mAh battery to showcase similar performance to the Mate 10 Pro’s incredible battery life. With wireless charging available and Huawei’s SuperCharge fast-charging tech, we expect the P20 Pro to be a superior performer in battery life and charging.

Until we get chance to test out the P20 Pro fully, these elements are too close to call. It’s a tie for now.

Winner: Tie.

Design and durability

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Both of these phones are gorgeously designed glass-and-metal devices that look amazing. The Galaxy S9 Plus takes a lot of design cues from the S8 Plus, with the exception of some key decisions that fix some of our issues with the older design. The Huawei P20 Pro is similarly gorgeous, and you’ll find your eyes drawn to the lovely curves and shimmering finish — it’s utterly stunning. That said, the P20 Pro’s notch is a continued sore point in upcoming Android design, and we expect it to take some flack for that.

As these are both glass smartphones you’ll definitely want a case. A single bad bump could end up shattering either, and that’s not a good look. Thankfully they’re both more resistant to water, with the P20 Pro coming with an IP67 rating, while the Galaxy S9 Plus rocks a higher IP68 rating.

It’s clear that one phone here has a distinct edge over the other. With better water-resistance and our preferred design, the Galaxy S9 Plus takes it.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Display

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

You’ll find similar AMOLED display tech on both phones. The Huawei P20 Pro has a 6.1-inch display that boasts a 2,240 x 1,080-pixel resolution, while a higher 2,960 x 1,440-pixel resolution on the Galaxy S9 Plu’s 6.2-inch screen gives that phone the edge in sharpness. The vibrancy and deepness of colors, lights, and shadows is much the same, since both have top-of-the-line AMOLED displays.

With a slight edge in display sharpness, we have to give this to the Galaxy S9 Plus.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Camera

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Both of these phones have been advertised heavily on the high standard of their cameras. The Galaxy S9 Plus comes with two 12-megapixel (MP) lenses and an aperture that mechanically changes to adjust to available light — the first such phone camera we’ve seen for many years. We’ve done many tests with its cameras, and have been suitably impressed with the results. The S9 Plus has been awarded high marks by camera specialists DxOMark too, likely making it one of 2018’s best camera phones, and setting the standard for the coming year of releases.

But the P20 Pro has an ace up its sleeve — Huawei has crammed three lenses onto the P20 Pro, and they’re all absolute monsters. The main lens sports a huge 40MP, and is joined by an 8MP telephoto lens. Below these two is a 20MP lens that shoots in monochrome, assisting low-light snaps. We’re yet to get a significant amount of time with the P20 Pro’s camera, but it’s proven to be an excellent system in the short time we’ve had with it. It could be the phone camera to unseat the Galaxy S9 Plus, but we’ll have to spend more time with it before we make that call.

It’s a tie on the video front, with both phones shooting super slow-motion at 960 frames per second, though the S9 Plus does have an edge as it is able to shoot at 60fps at 2,160p. In terms of selfie cameras, the S9 Plus’s 8MP front-facing camera is dwarfed by the 24MP monster on the front of Huawei’s phone, but unless you take a lot of selfies it will be hard to tell the difference.

There are too many variables to be able to call this yet, but we’re confident that the P20 Pro’s cameras will put up a worthy fight. It’s a tie for now.

Winner: Tie

Software and updates

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Regardless of the phone you pick, you’re going to be using a heavily manufacturer-altered UI. The Galaxy S9 Plus comes with the Samsung Experience 9.0, while the P20 Pro runs Huawei’s Emotion UI (EMUI) 8.1. Both will be running Android Oreo, but only the Huawei device will have the latest Android 8.1 Oreo update applied at time of launch. Since they’re both running heavily modified UIs, you’re unlikely to get speedy Android updates on either phone.

Both UIs are pretty good, if heavy-handed, alterations of stock Android, and you shouldn’t expect prompt updates from either manufacturer.

Winner: Tie

Special Features

While the Mate 10 Pro had a desktop mode, the P20 Pro will not. On the other hand, the S9 Plus comes with Dex Station and Dex Pad support — but this will set you back at least another $100.

The P20 Pro’s has a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which works as a dedicated processor for A.I. assistance. This manifests in a few different ways, suggesting camera modes and tracking subjects in the camera app, as well as a translation app. Huawei has big plans for the NPU, and we’re likely to see more of this in the P20 Pro.

We’re excited to see what more we get from the A.I.-assistance on the P20 Pro. It beats the expensive desktop mode on the S9 Plus.

Winner: Huawei P20 Pro

Price

The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is available from most U.S. carriers, with prices starting from $840. We’ve written a guide to buying the S9 and S9 Plus to help you make sure you’re getting the best deal.

The Huawei P20 Pro is expected to launch within the next month, but numerous setbacks mean that you won’t find this phone on any major U.S. networks, or at Best Buy. Still, you’ll be able to pick it up from Amazon — though it won’t be cheap. We expect the P20 Pro to be around $1,000 at launch.

The massive price difference for similar tech means that the Galaxy S9 Plus wins this round.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Overall winner: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

There’s a lot to love in the P20 Pro, and it might be our favorite Huawei device released so far, but there can only be one winner here. The Galaxy S9 Plus is the phone to beat at the start of 2018, and though the P20 Pro is definitely a contender, the S9 Plus simply represents better value for money, has a more powerful processor, and — for our money — is the better phone for you.

If you’re looking for a flagship phone with strong battery life or you’re a Huawei-head, then you can consider the P20 Pro your next major upgrade — but everyone else should pick the Galaxy S9 Plus.

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eBay Shares Another Spring Savings Coupon With 15% Off Almost Everything Sitewide

eBay this afternoon launched another Spring Savings coupon, which is designed to allow customers to take 15 percent off of almost anything on eBay.

The 15 percent off coupon lasts for a few hours only, running from 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time to 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time, or 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To get the deal, customers will need to make a purchase on eBay worth $25 or more, pay for the item ahead of the coupon’s expiration date, and enter the coupon code PREPSPRING in the coupon redemption field.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with eBay. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

eBay’s coupon is available to eBay accounts registered in the United States and Canada, and the maximum discount allowed on an item is $50. The deal excludes gift cards and coupons, coins and paper money, and real estate. The coupon is a one-time use code, so if you’re planning to purchase multiple items to get a discount, make sure to purchase them all at once.

For more information on the code visit eBay’s landing page, and head over to eBay’s Daily Deals tech section to get started on shopping for ideas before the sale ends tonight. For more sales and discounts, make sure to check out our Deals Roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: eBay
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Apple updates $330 iPad, adds Pencil support and 200GB iCloud storage for students

Apple took reporters on a field trip to Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago to announce its newest product: An all new budget iPad targeted towards the education market.

The 2018 iPad costs $330 for consumers — the same price as last year’s iPad — and $300 for schools. While the pricing has not changed from last year’s entry-level iPad, it’s the first non-Pro model to support the Apple Pencil, a precise stylus that has mainly been catered towards artists and designers for professional use. Apple’s newest iPad is available to order now, and it will begin shipping this week.

The latest iPad packs a 9.7-inch Retina display, an A10 fusion processor (the same powering the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus) and 32GB of storage. The battery should last around 10 hours, making it perfect for a full school day. There’s an 8-megapixel camera on the rear, and an HD front-facing camera.

The body is constructed of aluminum, and the design looks nearly identical to the existing iPad. There’s no updates to the Apple Pencil, which the new iPad supports, and it will cost the same $100 for consumers, and $89 for schools. There’s a third-party Logitech stylus called Crayon (costing $50), along with a keyboard case, that will also support the new iPad. If you want to learn more, check out our iPad hands-on preview coverage.

Software

iWork, Apple’s productivity suite on iOS, also received a pretty impressive update. The updated edition will feature “Smart Annotation,” a feature that will allow teachers to collaborate with students on different documents. Students and educators will also be able to use the Pages app to create digital books.

Teachers will also be able to use Apple School Manager to create bulk Apple IDs as well as manage all iPad functions. The new iPads offer 200GB of iCloud storage for schools, which means there’s plenty of storage to work with on the cloud.

Schoolwork is another app that will be available to educators to assign class handouts and curricula.

Programs

Everyone Can Code, Apple’s Swift programming initiative played a key role in Apple’s announcement as well. While the program has been around for awhile, Apple explained the training opportunities available for educators and how Swift Playground, the primary coding app for students, can be used in the classroom. An ARKit plugin was also added to Swift Playgrounds allowing students to learn how to code different AR components.

New ARKit plugin for Swift Playgrounds to let kids get started with AR at an early age #DTAppleEvent https://t.co/ddKHGB6Brx pic.twitter.com/QgCln2yLkZ

— Jeremy Kaplan (@SmashDawg) March 27, 2018

Apple also announced a new program called Everyone Can Create. The program creates interactive educational experiences using Apple Pencil, speakers, and components of the iPad . A preview is available today and will be updated in the summer with additional content.

Although Apple has faced backlash this year concerning children’s increased dependence on smartphones and tablets, the company’s latest announcements show the tech giant is trying to emphasize the importance of meaningful tech time as opposed to passive consumption. Combining its low-cost iPad with its educational initiatives, Apple hopes to reiterate the value of tech in the classroom to increasingly weary parents.

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Moment Filmmaker Collection brings cinematic shooting to smartphone cameras

With the iPhone-shot Unsane as inspiration, smartphone lens accessory maker Moment announced a new series of products built specifically for cinematographers. Called the Filmmaker Collection, it combines four accessories that push beyond the limits of your phone’s built-in camera, promising cinematic results like never before.

The heart of the collection is a new 1.33x anamorphic lens adapter that works with Apple iPhone (including the iPhone X), Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy phones via Moment’s Photo Case. This is a true anamorphic optic, widening the high-definition 16:9 aspect ratio to the cinematic standard of 2.40:1 without cropping away any pixels. Like professional anamorphic lenses, the resulting image will need to be “de-squeezed” to look normal without distortion, which can be done in the updated version of Moment app or Filmic Pro, a popular filmmaking app that offers advanced controls.

Anamorphic widescreen is a hallmark of cinema, a format originally invented to further differentiate the movie theater from a home television. It produces a wider field of view (in the horizontal dimension) than what you would normally expect from a lens of a given focal length, giving cinema a unique look that simply can’t be emulated.

Typically, anamorphic lenses are very expensive, but Moment’s compact adapter is $149. It still has a somewhat niche appeal, but filmmakers who have wanted to dabble in the anamorphic look now have an affordable option.

The remaining products in the Filmmaker Collection include the Gimbal Counterweight ($39), Lens Filter Adapter ($39), and an iPhone X Battery Photo Case ($99). The counterweight  is designed to balance the additional weight of using the anamorphic adapter or other accessory lens when shooting with a handheld gimbal. While it should work with most smartphone gimbals, Moment said it “officially” supports the DJI Osmo Mobile, Zhiyun SmoothQ, and Evo Shift. Gimbals perform best when perfectly balanced, but smartphone gimbals generally don’t offer as much control for balancing non-standard phone setups. The counterweight, which attaches easily via a Velcro strap, solves this problem.

The filter adapter (also $39) lets users attach standard 62mm filters onto any Moment lens, including the anamorphic adapter, while the iPhone X Battery Photo Case ($99), the first of its kind from Moment, adds an extra 3,100mAh to keep you filming longer (Moment says it can recharge the phone to 90 percent).

Moment is accepting preorders for all new products now, and expects to begin shipping in June.

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Commuterpak is a versatile bag for tablets and other devices

Everyday carry bags stash anything from a tablet to a Nintendo Switch for the commute — but the Atlanta-based Funk Street Outfitters is launching a bag that’s just as versatile in carrying options. The Commuterpak is an urban style bag with three different carry options.

The Commuterpak can be worn as a sling or shoulder bag or using the waist belt. An active strap adds a third option, allowing for a shoulder carry but without it bouncing around. That last option is one of several of the pack’s features designed for cyclists, including a reflective strip and webbing to store a U lock.

Funk Street Outfitters says its new bag is different because the bag doesn’t come with a big-name price tag, yet has a lifetime warranty and is made from top materials. The exterior is constructed from a honeycomb ripstop nylon while the heavy-duty zippers prevent water from getting inside the bag when it’s raining.

The main compartment of the bag is accessible using a magnetic buckle that the company says allows users to open the bag with one hand — and enables automatic closure when you let go of the buckle. That main compartment houses a tablet sleeve lined in microfiber that will stash anything from the Nintendo Switch to the 10.5-inch Apple iPad Pro or 10.6-inch Samsung Galaxy Book. Two smaller compartments at the front store smaller gear, with a cable pass-through. Exterior D-rings allow wearers to add on small items.

The bag measures 11.5 by 9 inches, with a 4.5-inch depth. Despite the durable materials, the Commuterpak still weighs in at under a pound. The strap adjusts from 33.5 inches to 49.5 inches including the length of the bag, allowing for the different carrying options. A shoulder pad and an action strap is also included.

Funk Street Outfitters says the bag design offers a sleek urban aesthetic yet remains inconspicuous enough to blend with a variety of different styles. The bag is expected to launch in black and an olive green color options.

Funk Street Outfitters is looking to launch the Commuterpak on Kickstarter, with a campaign continuing through April 12. The bag has already exceeded the original $12,500 goal several times over. If the campaign is successful, early backers can pick up the bag for pledges starting at $70, a $20 discount from the expected retail price.

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Microsoft updates Code of Conduct to crack down on offensive content

Microsoft recently distributed an email stating that its Code of Conduct terms will be updated to prohibit offensive language and fraudulent activity starting May 1, 2018. The clarification applies to all Microsoft services, and any violation will result in the suspension or ban from said services. That includes eliminating any remaining time you have on an Xbox Live Gold membership, canceling all balances, and forfeiting content licenses.  

In other words, break the rules and Microsoft keeps your credit and digital purchases. That is the big misconception about digital purchases: They’re not yours to keep like physical merchandise. You’re paying for the right to use the content, and any violation of a company’s Terms of Use or Code of Conduct removes that right without any refunds. 

So how do you stay clean? Don’t do anything illegal, Microsoft warns. Don’t ask for money under false pretenses, don’t send spam, don’t impersonate someone else, and don’t do anything that harms children. Even more, don’t violate the privacy of others, don’t send viruses, don’t post threats, and so on. 

“We may stop providing Services to you or we may close your Microsoft account,” the company warns. “We may also block delivery of a communication (like email, file sharing or instant message) to or from the Services in an effort to enforce these Terms or we may remove or refuse to publish Your Content for any reason. When investigating alleged violations of these Terms, Microsoft reserves the right to review Your Content in order to resolve the issue. However, we cannot monitor the entire Services and make no attempt to do so.” 

Even if you don’t do anything illegal, keeping the language clean is still a top priority. The problem with Xbox Live is that you really don’t know who’s behind the gamertag that keeps shooting you in the head during online matches … unless you know the individual personally. That said, the “don’t engage in activity that is harmful” rule comes into play if you’re an adult cursing out the offending gamertag that happens to be a minor. 

But the rules don’t apply to just Xbox-related services. They span across everything provided by Microsoft, including Skype and OneDrive. Microsoft said it “cannot monitor the entire Services,” but customers are now worried that even the slightest joke will ban them from the company’s platforms forever. Based on the language seen in the revised Code of Conduct, customers are worried that they can’t even use Skype for private conversations. 

In this case, here is what Microsoft says you can’t do with its services: 

Don’t publicly display inappropriate content or material.  

Don’t share inappropriate content or material. 

Both rules apply to nudity, bestiality, pornography, offensive language, and similar content and material. Banning customers from displaying this content publicly is understandable, but when sharing with individuals through private channels, someone must be the whistleblower. Thus, your naughty Skype conversations with the boyfriend or girlfriend should be safe until they get mad and report you to Microsoft out of anger.

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Mozilla’s Facebook Firefox tool helps keep your browsing habits more private

The recent Cambridge Analytica scandal brought Facebook’s privacy issues to a head. Concerns over how Facebook manages user data, along with other highly charged issues around political advertising, had been simmering for months and then exploded recently with reports that Facebook was mining user data without receiving permission. There is even a #DeleteFacebook movement that’s received support for notable tech celebrities like Tesla’s Elon Musk.

If you’re concerned about how Facebook is tracking you as you surf the web, then Firefox browser developer Mozilla has the tool for you. In a blog post on Tuesday, March 27, Mozilla introduced a new Firefox Container add-on that “isolates your Facebook identify from the rest of your web activity.” According to Mozilla, once you have installed the add-on, Facebook will find it much more difficult to track your browsing habits outside of the social media site but your use of Facebook itself won’t be directed.

To install the add-on, simply go to the appropriate Firefox add-on page and click the “+ Add to Firefox” button. You will be asked to grant permission and then whenever you visit Facebook, note the blue Facebook label to the right of the URL box. Its presence indicates that your browsing sessions will be protected from Facebook’s prying eyes as you surf away from the site.

Mozilla
Mozilla

The Facebook Container add-in is the result of years of work by Mozilla, resulting in technology that the organization is now making available to users in response to “growing demand for tools that help manage privacy and security.” The add-in’s benefit is that it allows users to continue to use Facebook while avoiding some of the “unexpected side effects.” Mozilla stresses that the Facebook Container would not have stopped the kind of issue highlighted by the Cambridge Analytica incident.

Mozilla points out that Facebook isn’t the only site that’s collecting your information, and recommends that you review each service to understand how it’s gathering and using your data. That is sage advice. For anyone concerned specifically about Facebook and who wants to learn more, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has more information on how to adjust your Facebook settings for improved privacy.

Editors’ Recommendations

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Doctors can steer this robot through your guts with an Xbox-style controller

A new flexible endoscopy robot, designed to access hard-to-reach places inside the human body, has received official U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance. Called Monarch Platform, the new medical robot has its eyes set on treating a number of diseases and conditions, with the immediate target being lung cancer.

“The use of small cameras and tools to enter the body non-invasively hasn’t changed significantly since it was first introduced in the mid-twentieth century, and is still far from realizing its fullest potential,” Josh DeFonzo, chief strategy officer at manufacturer Auris, told Digital Trends. “While endoscopy is one of the safest ways to enter the body, limitations of current endoscopic tools and techniques translate to substandard patient outcomes. Auris developed the Monarch Platform to overcome these limitations. We believe that the Monarch Platform will transform endoscopy by enhancing physicians’ capabilities and dramatically improving clinical outcomes for patients for a variety of disease states.”

Since being founded by surgical robotics pioneer Dr. Frederic Moll six years ago, Auris has raised more than $500 million in equity capital to develop its technology. While Auris’ dream for medical robots still has a way to go before it becomes a fully fledged mainstream reality, Monarch represents an important step. Doctors will be able to control the flexible robot by way of a video game-style controller. Once inside a patient, the robot can record images and potentially make physical interventions.

“The reason lung cancer is so deadly is that the diagnostic and treatment processes are ineffective,” DeFonzo continued. “The majority of lung cancer patients are diagnosed in late stage, when the cancer has already spread beyond its primary location. With lung cancer, patients often have no symptoms. Nodules are typically small, deep in the lungs and difficult to reach, making early stage diagnosis and treatment difficult. The goal of the Monarch Platform is to allow physicians to accurately access small and hard-to-reach nodules early, without incisions and with fewer complications, for diagnosing and targeting treatment.”

DeFonzo said that Monarch is currently intended for use by interventional pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons. Plans are afoot to expand into other clinical areas, too. A limited launch of the robot will take place across the U.S. later this year. In other words, it’s coming soon to a hospital near you.

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Google loses copyright appeal against Oracle, may owe billions

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that Google’s use of application program interfaces (APIs) owned by Oracle is a violation of U.S. copyright laws, Reuters reports. The case was remanded to a lower court to determine damages. The ruling comes two years after a lower court ruled in Google’s favor, stating its use of APIs fell under fair use.

The ruling is the latest in a contentious legal battle that has spanned a better part of a decade. Oracle contends that Google infringed upon its copyrights when the tech giant used 37 unlicensed Java APIs to create Android OS. Google countered its use fell under “fair use” under copyright law.

When Oracle initially filed the suit in 2010, it sought out $2.6 billion in damages for the API use. When the case went in front of a jury in 2016, it recalculated damages based on the growth of the Android platform and upped its number to $9.3 billion, with $8.3 billion representing Google’s profits from Android.

While the court ruled that APIs are not eligible for copyright protection in the Google v. Oracle trial, a separate 2014 case tried in front of the Federal circuit court issued a decision stating APIs are indeed subject to copyright laws; the higher court’s ruling paved the way for Oracle’s most recent appeal.

In response to the ruling, Dorien Daley, Oracle’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, told Digital Trends “the Federal Circuit’s opinion upholds fundamental principles of copyright law and makes clear that Google violated the law. This decision protects creators and consumers from the unlawful abuse of their rights.”

We reached out to Google for its response to the verdict. A spokesperson for the company said,  “We are disappointed the court reversed the jury finding that Java is open and free for everyone. This type of ruling will make apps and online services more expensive for users. We are considering our options.”

It’s unclear exactly what options Google has at this point. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case once already, but it is likely the tech giant will continue the appeals process for as long as possible.

Should the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit stand, the implications could be significant for developers. Programmers frequently use APIs to develop both new software and integrate different applications. Additionally, consumers could expect to see higher software prices and fewer options on the market.

Updated March 27, 2018: Added statement from Oracle. 

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Protect your tiny titan with the best Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact cases

When you’re looking for a powerful phone with a small silhouette, Sony’s Xperia Compact range is a name that springs to mind (though we like some other small smartphones, too). The new Xperia XZ2 Compact crams many of the flagship XZ2’s powerful features into a smaller polycarbonate frame. But this tiny titan isn’t the best at taking a blow.

So what’s a thrifty small smartphone lover to do? A protective case is a great way to add a little protection to your phone and amp up its style in one fell swoop. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact cases you can grab to keep your powerful handful safe.

Olixar Ultra-Thin Gel Case ($9)

Always near the top of our shopping list is a good clear gel case. While it won’t give the same amount of protection as some larger cases, a gel case still provides decent enough shock absorption — thanks to the absorbent properties of TPU — and is completely clear, making it the best case to choose if you can’t bear to cover your phone’s stylish body. This offering from Olixar comes with raised edges that keep your phone’s screen from touching surfaces, is super thin, and has been treated with a nonslip coating for extra grip on your phone. Best of all, it’s not going to break the bank.

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Mobile Fun

Kugi Scratch-Resistant Grip Case ($8)

If you want something that’s a step up in protection and offers a little extra style, then check out this case from Kugi. Fully fashioned from shock-resistant and shock-absorbent TPU, this case provides more protection than your standard gel case, while still being extremely thin. Ridges down the edges of the case assist with grip on your phone, and button covers help to guide your fingers when you’re fumbling around in your pocket. The back panel is also made from TPU, but has been styled to look like leather and provide another grippy surface that looks good. It’s not real leather, but it feels good anyway and keeps costs down.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Anccer Anti-Slip Hard Texture Case ($12)

There’s nothing quite like polycarbonate for providing protective strength while still keeping a case thin and light. This case from Anccer ticks all the right boxes for protective options, giving great strength without compromising on weight. It’s designed to have a rough, sand-like texture that should help you keep a good hold of your phone. It’s not too rough, but it does emulate the feel of OnePlus’s sandstone cases very well. It’s not going to be as good at insulating against blunt forces as TPU, but Anccer claims that its advanced PC should still provide some shock absorption. If you’re looking for a slim, stylish hard case, then you’ll be hard pressed to find one this good for the price.

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Amazon

Official Sony Style Cover Touch Case ($53)

If you want a high-quality case and don’t care about price, why not go straight to the phone’s manufacturer? The Official Sony Style Cover is a flip wallet-style case that offers all-round protection thanks to the screen cover and case that clips onto your phone. Best of all, you don’t even need to take the protection off to use it. Thanks to an NFC connection with your phone, the front cover of the case can be used as a touchscreen, just as if it was the phone’s display. You can buy a color to match your XZ2 Compact’s own color, and since it’s made by Sony, you can be sure it’s a perfect fit. It’s expensive, but with this all-round coverage, it’s one of the best options for pure protection and style rolled into one.

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Mobile Fun

Fettion Leather-Style Flip Wallet Case ($8)

There’s something nice about a wallet case — they’re simple, but provide good protection and a certain executive style that other cases lack. This case is made from PU (polyurethane) leather, but it’s difficult to tell it apart from the real thing. PU leather is hard-wearing and easy to maintain, so you shouldn’t have many issues with this case down the line, and it should offer good protection. It can fold into a landscape stand for easy video watching, and has space to hold a couple of credit cards and some extra cash. Not bad for just $8.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

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